Home » Airlines News of Netherlands » Hundreds of Passengers Abandoned in Netherlands as Amsterdam Airport Schiphol Experience 45 Flight Cancellations and 167 New Delays Amid Winter Weather, Affecting KLM, easyJet, SAS, HOP!, German Airways and Several other Carriers

Published on
February 19, 2026

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Wintry weather has seized control of the Netherlands today. Thick snow and freezing winds now blanket Amsterdam, forcing Schiphol Airport into a difficult operational corner. This sudden seasonal shift has triggered a massive wave of disruption for hundreds. Major carriers are currently fighting to keep their schedules intact. KLM faces the heaviest burden, as dozens of its flights remain grounded. Meanwhile, easyJet has also pulled several departures from the board. Travelers across the terminal now face a sea of red cancelled signs and shifting departure times. There’s a total of 45 flight cancellations and 167 delays reported. Consequently, passenger plans have come to a sudden halt. If you have travel plans today, move quickly to secure your status. Transitioning your journey might be necessary. Check your flight app immediately and stay warm while the airport manages this icy challenge.

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, a primary gateway for international travel and a critical hub for European connectivity, is currently being impacted by severe weather-related constraints. A formal update was issued by the airport authorities, advising that due to expected wintry conditions, significant delays and cancellations should be anticipated starting from the morning of 19 February. As a result of these conditions, the infrastructure at Schiphol is being pushed to its limits. The sheer volume of disruptions—totaling over 200 affected flights—indicates that the capacity of the airport to maintain a standard schedule has been compromised. For those navigating travel through the Netherlands today, the atmosphere is one of necessary caution and forced patience.

The disruptions have been distributed across a wide array of carriers, with the national flag carrier and low-cost giants bearing the brunt of the scheduling changes. The statistical breakdown of affected airlines provides a clear picture of the scale of the disruption:

KLM: As the primary operator at Schiphol, KLM has been the most heavily impacted, with 21 cancellations and 69 delays reported.easyJet: The low-cost sector is also seeing significant hurdles, with 7 cancellations and 11 delays recorded for the carrier.Regional and International Carriers: A diverse group of airlines is navigating the wintry weather, including:SAS: 3 cancellations, 2 delays.HOP!: 3 cancellations, 5 delays.German Airways: 2 cancellations, 1 delay.Cityjet: 2 cancellations, 0 delays.Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cityline: A combined 2 cancellations and 1 delay.British Airways and BA CityFlyer: A combined 2 cancellations and 3 delays.Vueling Airlines, TAROM and Scandinavian Airlines Ireland: Each reporting at least 1 cancellation.

These figures illustrate that both short-haul European routes and regional feeder flights are being systematically delayed or removed from the departure boards.

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Beyond these specific figures, delays were being experienced by several other Airlines, like Air Baltic, Croatia Airlines, FlyOne, LOT Polish Airlines, Pegasus Airlines, Qatar Airways, Transavia Airlines, Air France and more.

When a major transit point like Schiphol experiences such concentrated disruptions, the ripple effect is felt immediately within the local economy of Amsterdam. As hundreds of passengers find themselves grounded or delayed, the influx of tourists into the city is being stalled.

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The local hospitality sector in Amsterdam is often the first to feel this impact. Hotel bookings may be affected by late arrivals, while local attractions and tours see a decrease in foot traffic from those who were scheduled to land during the morning hours. Conversely, some local establishments may see a temporary rise in occupancy as stranded travelers seek accommodation within the Netherlands while waiting for rescheduled flights. Nevertheless, the overarching sentiment is one of disruption to the seamless flow of travel that the city typically enjoys.

For those currently caught in the midst of the 45 cancellations and 167 delays, several steps are recommended to navigate this period of instability.

Firstly, it is advised that passengers remain in constant contact with their respective airlines. Carriers such as KLM and easyJet are responsible for providing the most up-to-date information regarding rebooking options. Because these delays are attributed to expected wintry weather conditions, passengers should check their eligibility for assistance, such as food vouchers or overnight accommodation, as mandated by aviation passenger rights regulations applicable in the Netherlands.

Secondly, travelers are encouraged to monitor the official Amsterdam Airport Schiphol digital channels. Real-time updates are being provided to ensure that no one travels to the airport unnecessarily if their flight has already been removed from the schedule.

Lastly, patience is required as the airport staff and flight crews work through the backlog created by the 19 February weather event. While the situation is evolving, the priority remains the safe execution of travel under challenging meteorological conditions.

-The information provided is sourced from FlightAware and Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.